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Weighted blankets

butterflygroovesbutterflygrooves member
in Special Needs
Owl isn't a good sleeper, hasn't been for a long time, she seems to do better in the winter when she has heavier blankets so I googled weighted blankets and found that they are used for CP too. She likes her joint compressions, stretches, and massages so I think she has some sensory stuff going on.

I'm thinking about making a blanket for her, I emailed the OT to get her thoughts and am waiting to hear back. In the meantime, I have some questions for anyone who uses or has made their own weighted blankets.

How do you determine the size not the weight of the blanket? Owl is small, about 3 feet tall and a skinny little thing.

What fabrics work best? Owl isn't picky about fabric, just sticky stuff.

Is a duvet over the blanket recommended?

Two Mommies Healing Hearts

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Re: Weighted blankets

  • mommytoconnormommytoconnor member
    My son has SPD and I ordered a weighted blanket for him.  I was advised not to make one, and I can't honestly remember why, but anywho, typically you want a soft material and it should be from neck to just below feet, just to give her a little room to grow into it.  As far as weight goes, your OT will recommend how much.  The key is to get it evenly distrubuted within the blanket so when you hold it up it doesn't all fall to the bottom, so you need to sew in pockets.  A duvet over the blanket isn't recommended.  Just make sure you reinforce the stiching so if a seam pops it doesn't let all your beads come out. Good luck on making one, if you decide to order one, the place that I found was the best is sensacalm.com. Good luck.
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  • mommy0411mommy0411 member

    My DS1 loves his weighted blanket! It has been a life saver in our house! I made his based off a tutorial. He is 37 inches and weighs about 28 pounds. I got a yard and a quater of two different fabrics and it covers him really well. I used a cotton blend meant for children's clothing because it was heavier and sturdier then the quilting fabric. Also you are going to want to use poly beads because they are washable. Jo Ann fabrics has them

    I also highly recommend leaving a boarder around the outside so if the beads break through a seam there is a back up seam. I also top stitched the outer seam around the edge to make it extra strong.  

    The OT recommended a three pound blanket for my 28 pound DS so that is what I made.  If you want I can post a picture of the blanket tomorrow. 



    DS1: 4/15/2011
    Dx: ASD, SPD and receptive and expressive speech delay at 21 months
    BFP #2: CP 5/2012
    DS2: 4/24/2013
    BFP #4: Miscarriage at 5 weeks 7/2014
    BFP #5: 8/8/2014 Due 4/20/2015 
    Its a healthy girl!!!!! 
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
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  • butterflygroovesbutterflygrooves member
    imagemommy0411:
    My DS1 loves his weighted blanket! It has been a life saver in our house! I made his based off a tutorial. He is 37 inches and weighs about 28 pounds. I got a yard and a quater of two different fabrics and it covers him really well. I used a cotton blend meant for children's clothing because it was heavier and sturdier then the quilting fabric. Also you are going to want to use poly beads because they are washable. Jo Ann fabrics has themI also highly recommend leaving a boarder around the outside so if the beads break through a seam there is a back up seam. I also top stitched the outer seam around the edge to make it extra strong. nbsp;The OT recommended a three pound blanket for my 28 pound DS so that is what I made. nbsp;If you want I can post a picture of the blanket tomorrow.nbsp;

    A pic would be great, thanks!

    Two Mommies Healing Hearts

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